In a series of articles from August to December 2009, individuals whose roles are affected by the changes to the planning system have agreed to share their expectations and actual experiences.
The Individuals
- The Development Planner: Laura Robertson is a member of the new Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan Team.
- The Specialist Consultant: Euan Hutchison is a Development Project Manager with Natural Power Consultants Ltd in Castle Douglas.
- The Planning Consultant: Anthony Aitken leads the planning team of Colliers CRE in Scotland from their Edinburgh office.
- The Agency Official: Virginia Sharp works as a casework inspector for Historic Scotland's North-East team.
- The Developer : Alistair Landells recently joined Banks Developments Ltd as A Senior Development Planner.
August
The first of the series introduces the individuals and asked how do you expect the role out of the new system to affect you?
- What information sources have been useful to inform you about the changes?
- What is your biggest concern?
- What opportunities do you think it will provide?
- How do you intend to change how you carry out your role?
October
The second of the series asks the individuals about the key changes they have experienced in the initial implementation of the modernised system:
- Do the changes you have experienced relate to process and / or culture?
- How are you putting into practice the behaviours changes you intended?
- What support have you received to overcome any issues?
December
A few months into the implementation of the new planning system, we asked the individuals to compare their initial expectations with their practical experiences.
- Is the new system more co-operative and faster than the old one?
- Do you expect there will be further changes that will affect you?
- What more can be done to support you in the longer term?